Researchers are trying a completely novel approach to insulin dosage.

The new development at the University of Sydney could also make it easier for people with type 1 diabetes to adjust their insulin levels after a fatty meal.

Dr Kirstine Bell is using an innovative bioengineering approach developed in conjunction with Harvard Medical School.

The team has modelled blood glucose responses to meals of varying fat content and can accurately predict how much insulin is required to keep glucose levels within a tight optimal range.

The findings could help people with type 1 diabetes get more accurate information on how to moderate insulin doses and reduce the risk of dangerous high and low blood glucose levels.

“Currently, mealtime insulin doses are calculated based solely on the amount of carbohydrate in the meal, despite recent studies showing dietary fat can increase insulin requirements by more than 40 percent,” said Dr Bell.

“Traditionally whenever someone reports high blood glucose levels after a meal, it was assumed this was because they did something wrong: they didn’t calculate their carbs right or estimate their portion size correctly.

“Now we’re learning that we didn’t have all the information and we need to go back to the drawing board to learn more about what’s really happening in the body to create better solutions.

“Once we have these results, we will be able to work with clinicians and people with type 1 diabetes to find the best way to integrate this evidence into practical solutions, such as apps or as part of insulin pumps to deliver the most effective insulin dose in the most convenient way.”

More studies will be conducted over the next 12 months, with results expected in late 2017.